JP2018177090A - Optical unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new optical unit capable of generating a plurality of light distribution patterns with a simple construction.SOLUTION: An optical unit comprises a light source and a rotational reflector rotating its rotational axis to a center in one way while reflecting light emitted from the light source. The rotational reflector is configured to generate light distribution patterns by scanning the reflected light as light source image. A light emission surface of the light source is configured so that the shape of end part in off-radiation area generated in a part of a light distribution pattern may be modified due to turn on/off control thereof.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical unit, and more particularly to an optical unit used for a vehicle lamp.

  In recent years, an apparatus has been devised which reflects light emitted from a light source forward of a vehicle and scans a region in front of the vehicle with the reflected light to form a predetermined light distribution pattern. For example, the light source includes a rotary reflector rotating in one direction about a rotation axis while reflecting light emitted from the light source, and a light source composed of a light emitting element. An optical unit has been devised in which a reflective surface is provided to form a light distribution pattern (Patent Document 1).

  Moreover, this optical unit can form a non-irradiation area | region in a part of light distribution pattern by turning off a light emitting element at predetermined | prescribed timing.

JP, 2015-26628, A

  However, the above-described optical unit is limited in the shape of the light distribution pattern that can be formed, and there is room for further improvement.

  The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a new optical unit capable of forming a plurality of light distribution patterns with a simple configuration.

  In order to solve the above problems, an optical unit according to an aspect of the present invention includes a light source, and a rotating reflector that rotates in one direction about a rotation axis while reflecting light emitted from the light source. The rotating reflector is configured to form a light distribution pattern by scanning the reflected light as a light source image, and the light source is non-irradiated which is generated in part of the light distribution pattern by controlling turning on and off. The light emitting surface is configured such that the shape of the end of the region can be made different.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to form a plurality of light distribution patterns in which the shape of the end of the non-irradiation area is different.

  The light emission surface intersects with a first light emission surface having a first side intersecting with a direction scanned as a light source image and a direction scanned as a light source image, and a second direction different from the first side And a second light emitting surface having a side. Thus, the end of the non-irradiation area can be formed by the cut line corresponding to the first side and the cut line corresponding to the second side. Note that one light emitting surface may have a first side and a second side.

  A control unit may be further provided to control lighting states of the first light emission surface and the second light emission surface. When the control unit forms a first light distribution pattern having a non-irradiated portion of a first shape as a light distribution pattern, the light emitted from the first light emission surface of the non-irradiated portion of the first shape is The second light distribution pattern is formed in a case where the first light emission surface is controlled to be turned off at the scanning timing and a second light distribution pattern having a second shape non-irradiated portion different from the first shape is formed as the light distribution pattern. The second light emission surface may be turned off at the timing when the light emitted from the second light emission surface scans the non-irradiated portion having the shape. As a result, it is possible to form a plurality of light distribution patterns in which the shapes of the non-irradiated portions are different.

  The first light emitting surface may have a shape in which a diagonal first cut line is formed by the first side. Thereby, for example, it is applicable to vehicle lamps, such as a headlight.

  The second light emitting surface may have a shape in which a second cut line having an angle different from the first cut line is formed by the second side. This makes it possible to make the non-irradiated part more suitable for the situation in the irradiation direction. For example, when the optical unit is applied to a vehicular headlamp, it is possible to improve the forward visibility while suppressing glare given to a vehicle in front.

  The second light emitting surface may have a shape in which a second cut line symmetrical to the first cut line is formed by the second side. Thereby, the edge part of non-irradiation area | region can form a light distribution pattern symmetrical to the left and right.

  In the light emitting surface, the first light emitting surface and the second light emitting surface may be arranged in the direction in which the light emitting device is scanned as the light source image. Thereby, a plurality of light distribution patterns can be formed with space saving.

  It is to be noted that any combination of the above-described components, and a conversion of the expression of the present invention among methods, apparatuses, systems, and the like are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, a new optical unit capable of forming a plurality of light distribution patterns can be realized.

It is a horizontal sectional view of the vehicular headlamp concerning this embodiment. 1 is a front view of a vehicular headlamp according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the side view which showed the structure of the rotation reflector which concerns on this Embodiment typically. It is the top view which showed the structure of the rotation reflector which concerns on this Embodiment typically. Fig.5 (a) is a schematic diagram at the time of seeing the 1st light source which concerns on 1st Embodiment from the front, FIG.5 (b) is the rotating reflector which the 1st light source of the state of the lighting state rested. It is a schematic diagram which shows a mode that it was reflected and it projected as a light source image ahead. FIGS. 6A to 6D are schematic diagrams for explaining light distribution patterns that can be formed when the light source images L15 to L18 are scanned. FIGS. 7A to 7D are diagrams showing examples of light distribution patterns that can be realized by the optical unit according to the first embodiment. It is a figure showing the control device of the headlight for vehicles concerning each embodiment. Fig.9 (a) is a schematic diagram at the time of seeing the 1st light source which concerns on 2nd Embodiment from the front, FIG.9 (b) is the rotating reflector which the 1st light source of the state of the lighting state stopped. It is a schematic diagram which shows a mode that it was reflected and it projected as a light source image ahead. FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are schematic views for explaining a light distribution pattern which can be formed when the light source images L21 to L25 are scanned. 11 (a) and 11 (b) are diagrams showing examples of light distribution patterns that can be realized by the optical unit according to the second embodiment. It is a horizontal sectional view of the headlight for vehicles concerning a 3rd embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the embodiments with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicating descriptions will be omitted as appropriate. In addition, the embodiments do not limit the invention and are merely examples, and all the features and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention.

  The optical unit according to the present embodiment can be used for various vehicle lamps. Below, the case where the optical unit which concerns on this Embodiment is applied to the vehicle headlamp among the vehicle lamps is demonstrated.

First Embodiment
(Headlights for vehicles)
FIG. 1 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a vehicular headlamp according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the vehicle headlamp according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, some parts are omitted.

  The vehicle headlamp 10 according to the present embodiment is a right headlamp mounted on the right side of the front end portion of the vehicle, and has the same structure as the headlamp mounted on the left side except that it is symmetrical in left and right. . Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 10 on the right side will be described in detail below, and the description of the vehicle headlamp on the left side will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicular headlamp 10 includes a lamp body 12 having a recess opened toward the front. The lamp body 12 is covered at its front opening by a transparent front cover 14 to form a lamp chamber 16. The lamp chamber 16 functions as a space in which one optical unit 18 is accommodated. The optical unit 18 is a lamp unit configured to be able to emit both of the variable high beam and the low beam. The variable high beam refers to one controlled to change the shape of the light distribution pattern for high beam, and for example, a non-irradiation area (light shielding portion) can be generated in part of the light distribution pattern.

  The optical unit 18 according to the present embodiment changes the optical paths of the first light source 20 and the first light L1 emitted from the first light source 20, and directs the blade 22a of the rotating reflector 22 to the primary optical system. A condensing lens 23 as an optical member, a rotating reflector 22 that rotates about a rotation axis R while reflecting the first light L1, a projection lens 24, a first light source 20, and the projection lens 24 , A diffusion lens 28 as a primary optical system (optical member) for directing the second light L2 emitted from the second light source 26 to the blade 22a, and a control unit And 29.

  In the first light source 20, elements whose light emitting surfaces are isosceles triangles are arranged in a matrix. The second light source 26 has four elements arranged in a row.

  The projection lens 24 condenses and projects the first light L1 reflected by the rotary reflector 22 in the light irradiation direction (left direction in FIG. 1) of the optical unit, and the second light reflected by the rotary reflector 22 And a diffusion unit 24 b configured to diffuse and project the second light L 2 in the light irradiation direction of the optical unit. Thereby, the light source image can be clearly projected in front of the optical unit 18.

  FIG. 3 is a side view schematically showing the configuration of the rotary reflector according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a top view schematically showing the configuration of the rotary reflector according to the present embodiment.

  The rotating reflector 22 rotates in one direction around the rotation axis R by a drive source such as a motor 34. The rotating reflector 22 is provided with a blade 22 a as a reflecting surface so as to form a desired light distribution pattern by scanning the light of each light source reflected while rotating. That is, the rotary reflector emits visible light from the light emitting portion as an irradiation beam by its rotation operation, and forms a desired light distribution pattern by scanning the irradiation beam.

  In the rotating reflector 22, two blades 22a having the same shape and functioning as a reflecting surface are provided around the cylindrical rotating portion 22b. The rotation axis R of the rotating reflector 22 is oblique to the optical axis Ax, and is provided in a plane including the optical axis Ax and each light source. In other words, the rotation axis R is provided substantially parallel to the scanning plane of the light (irradiation beam) of each light source which scans in the left and right direction by rotation. Thereby, the thickness of the optical unit can be reduced. Here, the scanning plane can be regarded as, for example, a fan-shaped plane formed by continuously connecting the trajectories of the light sources of the scanning light.

  Further, the shape of the blade 22a of the rotating reflector 22 has a twisted shape such that the angle formed by the optical axis Ax and the reflection surface changes as it goes in the circumferential direction about the rotation axis R. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, scanning using the light of the first light source 20 and the second light source 26 becomes possible.

  For each light source, a semiconductor light emitting element such as an LED, an EL element, or an LD element is used. The shape of the convex projection lens 24 having the light collecting part 24 a and the diffusion part 24 b may be appropriately selected according to the light distribution characteristics such as the required light distribution pattern and illuminance distribution, but an aspheric lens or free curved surface It is also possible to use a lens.

  The control unit 29 performs on / off control of the first light source 20 and the second light source 26 and rotation control of the motor 34 based on a control signal from the outside. The first light source 20 is mounted on the heat sink 30, and the second light source 26 is mounted on the heat sink 32.

  The following description will focus on the shape and layout of the light emitting surface of the light emitting element in the first light source. In the present embodiment, the light distribution pattern is formed by scanning the light source image reflected by the rotating reflector 22. However, by devising the shape of the light emitting surface of the light emitting element constituting the light source image and the lighting state, Various forms of light distribution patterns can be formed.

  Fig.5 (a) is a schematic diagram at the time of seeing the 1st light source which concerns on 1st Embodiment from the front, FIG.5 (b) is the rotating reflector which the 1st light source of the state of the lighting state rested. It is a schematic diagram which shows a mode that it was reflected and it projected as a light source image ahead. In FIG. 5A, illustration of the condensing lens 23 is omitted. The light source image of FIG. 5B is obtained by inverting the image of the light emitting element of FIG. 5A by the projection lens 24 up and down.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, in the first light source 20, eight light emitting elements E11 to E18 are disposed. Each of the light emitting elements E11 to E18 has a light emitting surface (light emitting surface) that is a right-angled isosceles triangle. In addition, the combination of two light emitting elements also functions as a rectangular light emitting surface. Light source images L11 to L18 illustrated in FIG. 5B correspond to the light emitting surfaces of the light emitting elements E11 to E18.

  FIGS. 6A to 6D are schematic diagrams for explaining light distribution patterns that can be formed when the light source images L15 to L18 are scanned. As shown in FIGS. 6A to 6D, the light source images L11 to L18 are classified into four types in consideration of a pattern formed by scanning.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, in the state where the light emitting element E15 is continuously lit, the left side S11 of the pattern P1 formed by scanning the light source image L15 is vertical and the right side S12 is oblique. It is a trapezoid with a downward slope. In addition, when the light emitting element E15 is turned off at a predetermined timing, the pattern P1 'formed by scanning the light source image L15 has a non-irradiation area R1 formed in part. The non-irradiation area R1 is a trapezoid in which the left side S11 'is diagonally upward left and the right side S12' is vertical.

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the light emitting element E16 is continuously lit, the left side S21 of the pattern P2 formed by scanning the light source image L16 is obliquely upward to the left Then, the right side S22 becomes a vertical trapezoid. In addition, when the light emitting element E16 is turned off at a predetermined timing, the pattern P2 'formed by scanning the light source image L16 has a non-irradiated area R2 formed in part. The non-irradiation area R2 is a trapezoid in which the left side S21 'is vertical and the right side S22' is diagonally downward to the right.

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6C, when the light emitting element E17 is continuously lit, the pattern P3 formed by scanning the light source image L17 has a left side S31 vertical and a right side S32 is a trapezoid that rises diagonally to the right. In addition, when the light emitting element E17 is turned off at a predetermined timing, the pattern P3 'formed by scanning the light source image L17 has a non-irradiation area R3 formed in part. The non-irradiation area R3 has a trapezoidal shape in which the left side S31 'is inclined obliquely to the left and the right side S32' is perpendicular.

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6D, when the light emitting element E18 is continuously lit, the left side S41 of the pattern P4 formed by scanning the light source image L18 is inclined downward to the left Then, the right side S42 is a vertical trapezoid. Further, when the light emitting element E18 is turned off at a predetermined timing, the pattern P4 'formed by scanning the light source image L18 has a non-irradiated area R4 formed in part. The non-irradiation area R4 is a trapezoid in which the left side S41 'is vertical and the right side S42' is diagonally upward to the right.

  As described above, in the light emitting elements E11 to E18 according to the present embodiment, two opposing sides are not parallel as compared with the rectangular light emitting element. Therefore, the shape of the pattern formed by scanning the light source image is not a rectangle, but a trapezoidal shape in which the sides of the front end and the rear end in the scanning direction are not parallel. In addition, when the light source image is scanned, the shape of the non-irradiated area generated in a part of the pattern is controlled not to be rectangular because the on / off control is controlled, and the front end and rear end sides in the scanning direction are trapezoidal. .

  Moreover, although the first light source 20 according to the present embodiment arranges the same light emitting elements E11 to E18 whose light emitting surfaces are isosceles triangles, there is no translational symmetry between each other by devising the arrangement. Two light source images L15 to L18 (L11 to L14) can be realized. Then, by scanning the four light source images L15 to L18, four patterns P1 to P4 having different shapes can be formed. In addition, four non-irradiated regions R1 to R4 having no translational symmetry can also be realized by controlling turning on and off the light emitting element when scanning with a light source image. Therefore, by combining these patterns and the non-irradiation area, it is possible to realize a plurality of light distribution patterns having different overall shapes and shapes of the light shielding area with an optical unit having a simple configuration. Specifically, the first light source according to the first embodiment can be realized by one type of light emitting element.

  FIGS. 7A to 7D are diagrams showing examples of light distribution patterns that can be realized by the optical unit according to the first embodiment.

  The light distribution pattern PH1 shown in FIG. 7A is formed by turning on all the light emitting elements E11 to E18 of the first light source 20 at all times. The light distribution pattern PH1 is formed by scanning a light source image L11, a pattern P11 formed by scanning the light source image L11, a pattern P12 formed by scanning the light source image L12, and a light source image L13. The pattern P13, the pattern P14 formed by scanning the light source image L14, the pattern P15 formed by scanning the light source image L15, and the pattern P16 formed by scanning the light source image L16 And a pattern P17 formed by scanning the light source image L17 and a pattern P18 formed by scanning the light source image L18 are high beam distribution patterns.

  The light distribution pattern PH2 shown in FIG. 7B is formed by turning on and off the light emitting elements E11, E14, E15, and E18 of the first light source 20. The light distribution pattern PH2 is formed by scanning the light source image L11 and turning off the light at a predetermined timing, and a pattern formed by scanning the light source image L14 and turning the light at a predetermined timing. P14 ′, a pattern P15 ′ formed by turning off the light source image L15 while scanning the light source image L15, and a pattern P18 ′ formed by turning off the light source image L18 at a predetermined timing while scanning the light source image L18 And are light distribution patterns for variable high beam combined. In the light distribution pattern PH2, a trapezoidal non-irradiation area having a symmetrical diagonal cut line is formed at the center.

  The light distribution pattern PH3 illustrated in FIG. 7C is formed by turning on and off the light emitting elements E13, E14, E17, and E18 of the first light source 20. The light distribution pattern PH3 is formed by scanning the light source image L13 and turning off the light at a predetermined timing and a pattern formed by scanning the light source image L14 and turning the light at a predetermined timing. P14 ', a pattern P17' formed by turning off the light source image L17 while scanning the light source image L17, and a pattern P18 'formed by turning off the light source image L18 at a predetermined timing while scanning the light source image L18 And are light distribution patterns for variable high beam combined. In the light distribution pattern PH3, a parallelogram non-irradiation area having diagonal cut lines parallel to the left and right is formed at the central portion.

  The light distribution pattern PH4 shown in FIG. 7D is formed by turning on and off all the light emitting elements E11 to E18 of the first light source 20. The light distribution pattern PH4 is formed by a pattern P11 'formed by turning off the light source image L11 and turning off at a predetermined timing, and a pattern formed by turning off the light source image L12 at a predetermined timing P12 ′, a pattern P13 ′ formed by turning off the light source image L13 while scanning the light source image L13, and a pattern P14 ′ formed by turning off the light source image L14 at a predetermined timing while scanning the light source image L14 And a pattern P15 'formed by scanning the light source image L15 and turning off at a predetermined timing, and a pattern P16' formed by scanning the light source image L16 and turning off at a predetermined timing, A pattern P17 'formed by scanning the light source image L17 and turning it off at a predetermined timing; A pattern P18 ', which is formed by turning off at a predetermined timing with Minamotozo L18 is scanned, a variable high-beam light distribution pattern that is synthesized. In the light distribution pattern PH3, a rectangular non-irradiated area having a vertical cut line is formed at the center.

  As described above, in the first light source 20 according to the present embodiment, the shape of the end of the non-irradiation area generated in a part of the light distribution pattern can be made different by controlling turning on and off. A light exit surface is configured. Thereby, a plurality of light distribution patterns PH <b> 2 to PH <b> 4 having different shapes of end portions of the non-irradiation area can be formed.

  Here, the light emitting surface is a light emitting surface of the plurality of light emitting elements E11 to E18 that constitute the first light source 20. Further, it is preferable that the shape of the light emitting surface is not a shape in which two opposing sides are parallel as in a rectangular light emitting element, and at least one side is not parallel to any other side. For example, a trapezoidal shape is also possible. When the first light source is constituted by one light emitting element, and a light transmission control member (for example, a liquid crystal shutter or a light control mirror) for controlling the transmission of light in each area is disposed on the front surface, the light is The surface of the equal control member may be regarded as a light emitting surface.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the first light source 20 according to the present embodiment has a first light A1 having a first side A1 intersecting with the direction D1 scanned as a light source image. An emitting surface (light emitting element E15) and a second light emitting surface (light emitting element E18) having a second side A2 which intersects the direction scanned as a light source image and has a direction different from the first side A1 doing. Thus, as in the light distribution pattern PH2 shown in FIG. 7B, the end of the non-irradiation area is an oblique cut corresponding to the first side A1 and an oblique cut line CL1 corresponding to the second side A2. It can be formed by the line CL2. Thereby, it is applicable to vehicle lamps, such as a headlight.

  The light emitting element E18 has a shape in which a cut line CL2 having an angle different from that of the cut line CL1 is formed by the second side A2. This makes it possible to make the non-irradiated part more suitable for the situation in the irradiation direction. For example, it is possible to improve the forward visibility while suppressing the glare applied to the vehicle in front.

  The light emitting element E18 has a shape in which a cut line CL2 symmetrical to the cut line CL1 is formed by the second side A2. As a result, the end of the non-irradiation area can form a light distribution pattern PH2 that is symmetrical in the left-right direction, and for example, a headlight easily compliant with the Dover regulations can be realized.

  The optical unit 18 according to the present embodiment further includes, for example, a control unit 29 that controls the lighting states of the light emitting element E15 and the light emitting element E17. When forming the light distribution pattern PH2 (see FIG. 7B) having a trapezoidal non-irradiation part as the light distribution pattern, the control unit 29 scans the light emitted from the light emitting element E15 for the trapezoidal non-radiation part In the case of forming the light distribution pattern PH3 (see FIG. 7C) having a parallelogram non-irradiated portion as the light distribution pattern, the parallelogram non-illuminated portion The light emitting element E17 may be turned off at the timing when the light emitted from the light emitting element E17 scans. As a result, it is possible to form a plurality of light distribution patterns in which the shapes of the non-irradiated portions are different.

  In the first light source 20 according to the present embodiment, light emitting elements E15 to E18 are arranged in the direction D1 scanned as a light source image. Thereby, a plurality of light distribution patterns can be formed with a space-saving light source.

  FIG. 8 is a view showing a control device of a vehicle headlamp according to each embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the control device 100 of the vehicular headlamp 10 according to the present embodiment has a camera 44 for photographing the front of the vehicle and the surroundings, and the distance and presence to other vehicles and pedestrians in front of the vehicle. A radar 46 to detect, a switch 48 to control the lighting state and irradiation mode (such as selection of a high beam light distribution pattern or a low beam light distribution pattern, an automatic control mode) of the vehicle headlamp by a driver, and a steering state A detection unit 50, a sensor 52 such as a vehicle speed sensor or an acceleration sensor, a control unit 29, a motor 34, a first light source 20, and a second light source 26 are provided.

  The control unit 29 controls the rotation of the motor 34 and the light emitting elements of the first light source 20 and the second light source 26 based on the information acquired from the camera 44, the radar 46, the switch 48, the detection unit 50 and the sensor 52. Control the on and off of the Thereby, a new optical unit 18 capable of forming a plurality of light distribution patterns with a simple configuration can be realized.

Second Embodiment
Fig.9 (a) is a schematic diagram at the time of seeing the 1st light source which concerns on 2nd Embodiment from the front, FIG.9 (b) is the rotating reflector which the 1st light source of the state of the lighting state stopped. It is a schematic diagram which shows a mode that it was reflected and it projected as a light source image ahead. In FIG. 9A, illustration of the condensing lens 23 is omitted. In the light source image of FIG. 9B, the light emitting element of FIG. 9A is vertically inverted by the projection lens 24.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, in the first light source 120, five light emitting elements E21 to E25 are disposed. Each of the light emitting elements E21 to E25 has a light emitting surface (light emitting surface) that is rectangular (square). The light emitting elements E21 to E23 are disposed such that each side is oblique to the horizontal line H-H, and each side of the light emitting elements E24 and E25 is parallel to the horizontal line HH. Is located in Thus, light distribution patterns of various shapes can be realized by arranging light emitting elements of the same shape in different directions. Light source images L21 to L25 shown in FIG. 9B correspond to the light emitting surfaces of the light emitting elements E21 to E25.

  FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are schematic views for explaining a light distribution pattern which can be formed when the light source images L21 to L25 are scanned. As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the light source images L21 to L25 are classified into two types in consideration of a pattern formed by scanning.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, when the light emitting element E24 is continuously lit, the left side S11 of the pattern P1 formed by scanning the light source image L24 is vertical and the right side S12 is also vertical. Become a rectangular shape. Further, when the light emitting element E24 is turned off at a predetermined timing, the pattern P1 'formed by scanning the light source image L24 has a non-irradiation area R1 formed in part. In the non-irradiation area R1, the left side S11 'is vertical and the right side S12' is also vertical.

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the light emitting element E21 is continuously lit, the left side S21 of the pattern P2 formed by scanning the light source image L21 is obliquely upward to the left And the right side S22 is a diagonally upper right and a diagonal lower right, and is a horizontally long hexagon. In addition, when the light emitting element E21 is turned off at a predetermined timing, the pattern P2 'formed by scanning the light source image L21 has a non-irradiation area R2 formed in part. In the non-irradiation area R2, the left side S21 'is a broken line rising diagonally to the left and falling diagonally to the left, and the right side S22' is a broken line rising diagonally to the right and diagonally falling to the right.

  Thus, as the light emitting elements E21 to E25 according to the present embodiment, one type of rectangular light emitting element is used, and the two opposing sides are parallel. However, with respect to the light emitting elements E24 and E25, a plurality of patterns can be realized by devising the locations and directions in which some of the light emitting elements E21 to E23 are disposed. Further, the shape of the pattern formed by scanning the light source image is not only a rectangle, but also a hexagon in which the sides at the front end and the rear end in the scanning direction are broken lines. In addition, the shape of the non-irradiated area generated in a part of the pattern by controlling turning on and off when the light source image is scanned is not rectangular, but the sides of the front end and the rear end in the scanning direction become polygonal lines.

  11 (a) and 11 (b) are diagrams showing examples of light distribution patterns that can be realized by the optical unit according to the second embodiment.

  The light distribution pattern PH1 shown in FIG. 11A is formed by turning on all the light emitting elements E21 to E25 of the first light source 120 at all times. The light distribution pattern PH1 is formed by scanning a light source image L21, a pattern P21 formed by scanning the light source image L21, a pattern P22 formed by scanning the light source image L22, and a light source image L23. It is a light distribution pattern for high beam in which a pattern P23, a pattern P24 formed by scanning the light source image L24, and a pattern P25 formed by scanning the light source image L25 are combined.

  The light distribution pattern PH2 shown in FIG. 11B is formed by turning on and off the light emitting elements E21 to E24 of the first light source 120 and always turning off the light emitting element E25. The light distribution pattern PH2 is formed by scanning the light source image L21 and turning off the light at a predetermined timing, and a pattern formed by scanning the light source image L22 and turning the light at a predetermined timing. P22 ', a pattern P23' formed by turning off the light source image L23 while scanning the light source image L23, and a pattern P24 'formed by turning off the light source image L24 at a predetermined timing while scanning the light source image L24 And are light distribution patterns for variable high beam combined. In the light distribution pattern PH2, a trapezoidal non-irradiation area having a symmetrical diagonal cut line is formed at the center.

  As in the case of the light distribution pattern PH3 shown in FIG. 7C of the first embodiment, by turning on and off the light emitting elements E21 to E23 of the first light source 120, the left and right diagonals are oblique. A parallelogram non-irradiated area having a cut line can also be formed at the center.

  As described above, in the first light source 120 according to the present embodiment, the shape of the end of the non-irradiation area generated in a part of the light distribution pattern can be made different by controlling turning on and off. A light exit surface is configured. As a result, it is possible to form a plurality of light distribution patterns in which the shape of the end of the non-irradiation area is different.

  As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the first light source 120 according to the present embodiment has a first light A1 having a first side A1 intersecting with the direction D1 scanned as a light source image. A second light emitting surface (light emitting elements E21 to E23) having a light emitting surface (light emitting elements E21 to E23) and a second side A2 which intersects a direction scanned as a light source image and has a direction different from the first side A1 And. Thus, as in the light distribution pattern PH2 shown in FIG. 11B, the end of the non-irradiation area is an oblique cut corresponding to the first side A1 and an oblique cut line CL1 corresponding to the second side A2. It can be formed by the line CL2.

Third Embodiment
In the vehicle headlamp 10 according to the first embodiment, as the shape of the blade 22a of the rotating reflector 22 proceeds in the circumferential direction about the rotation axis R, an angle formed between the optical axis Ax and the reflective surface Has a twisted shape so as to change. On the other hand, in the vehicle headlamp according to the third embodiment, a polygon mirror is used as a rotating reflector, and there is substantially no difference from the first embodiment from the others. Therefore, in the following description, the rotating reflector will be described in detail, and the same components as in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  FIG. 12 is a horizontal sectional view of the vehicle headlamp according to the third embodiment. The vehicle headlamp 110 according to the third embodiment includes a lamp body 12 having a recess opened toward the front. The lamp body 12 is covered at its front opening by a transparent front cover 14 to form a lamp chamber 16. The light chamber 16 functions as a space in which one optical unit 118 is accommodated. The optical unit 118 is a lamp unit configured to emit both variable high beams and low beams.

  The optical unit 118 according to the present embodiment is a light source 220 and a primary optical system (optical member) that changes the optical path of the first light L1 emitted from the light source 220 to the reflecting surface 122 a of the polygon mirror 122. And a polygon mirror 122 rotating about the rotation axis R while reflecting the first light L1, a projection lens 124, and a control unit 29.

  The light source 220 has a plurality of elements arranged in a matrix. The projection lens 124 condenses and projects the first light L1 reflected by the polygon mirror 122 in the light irradiation direction (left direction in FIG. 1) of the optical unit. Thus, it is possible to project the light source image clearly in front of the optical unit 118.

  The polygon mirror 122 rotates in one direction about the rotation axis R by a drive source such as a motor. Further, the polygon mirror 122 is provided with a reflecting surface 122 a so as to form a desired light distribution pattern by scanning the light of each light source reflected while rotating. That is, the polygon mirror 122 emits visible light from the light emitting unit as an irradiation beam by its rotation operation, and forms a desired light distribution pattern by scanning the irradiation beam.

  The rotation axis R of the polygon mirror 122 is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis Ax, and is provided to intersect a plane including the optical axis Ax and the light source 220. In other words, the rotation axis R is provided to be substantially orthogonal to the scanning plane of the light (irradiation beam) of the light source which scans in the left and right direction by rotation. The above-described various light distribution patterns can also be formed in the vehicular headlamp 110 using such a polygon mirror 122.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated with reference to each above-mentioned embodiment, this invention is not limited to each above-mentioned embodiment, What combined suitably the structure of each embodiment, and it substituted Those are also included in the present invention. In addition, it is also possible to appropriately modify the combinations and the order of processing in each embodiment based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art and to add various modifications such as design changes to each embodiment, and such modifications An embodiment in which is added may be included in the scope of the present invention.

  10 Vehicle headlights, 18 optical units, 20 first light sources, 22 rotating reflectors, 22a blades, 22b rotating parts, 24 projection lenses, 29 controls, 34 motors, 100 controls, 120 first light sources.

Claims (7)

Light source,
And a rotating reflector that rotates in one direction around a rotation axis while reflecting light emitted from the light source.
The rotating reflector is configured to form a light distribution pattern by scanning the reflected light as a light source image,
The light emission surface of the light source is configured such that the shape of the end of the non-irradiation area generated in a part of the light distribution pattern can be made different by controlling turning on and off. Optical unit. The light emitting surface is
A first light emitting surface having a first side intersecting the direction in which the light source image is scanned;
2. The optical unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a second light emitting surface having a second side which intersects a direction scanned as a light source image and which has a direction different from the first side. 3. A control unit configured to control lighting states of the first light emission surface and the second light emission surface;
The control unit
When forming a first light distribution pattern having a non-irradiated portion of a first shape as the light distribution pattern, light emitted from the first light emission surface of the non-irradiated portion of the first shape is scanned Control turning off the first light emitting surface at the timing of
When forming a second light distribution pattern having a non-irradiated portion having a second shape different from the first shape as the light distribution pattern, the non-irradiated portion having the second shape is used as the second light emission surface Turn off the second light emitting surface at the timing when the light emitted from the light scans.
The optical unit according to claim 2,   The optical unit according to claim 2, wherein the first light emission surface has a shape in which a diagonal first cut line is formed by the first side.   The optical unit according to claim 4, wherein the second light emission surface has a shape in which a second cut line having an angle different from the first cut line is formed by the second side.   The optical unit according to claim 4, wherein the second light emission surface has a shape in which a second cut line symmetrical to the first cut line is formed by the second side.   The light emitting surface according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the first light emitting surface and the second light emitting surface are arranged in a direction in which the light emitting surface is scanned as a light source image. Optical unit as described.

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